Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg.  2019 Sep;62(9):487-498. 10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00479.

Current Development and Research Trend of Chemotherapeutic Agents for Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

• Lee YS

• KMID: 2461000
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3342/kjorl-hns.2019.00479

Abstract

After FDA approval of cetuximab at 2006, receptor tyrosine kinase, including an epidermal growth factor receptor, blocking agents have been evaluated for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Agents targeting PI3K/Akt/mTOR, IL-6/JAK/STAT3, vascular endothelial growth factor receptor, and cyclin D-CDK-4/6-INK4/Rb pathway have developed. Most of them have failed to demonstrate better treatment outcome in recurrent and/or metastatic (R/M) HNSCC than conventional chemotherapy. Since a pivotal role of PD-1/PD-L1 pathway in immunological tumor microenvironment was revealed, the immune checkpoint inhibitors, including pembrolizumab and nivolumab, have opened new paradigm of cancer treatment modality and propagates other immune-based therapies for R/M HNSCC. Various types of combination trials consisting of immunotherapy with other class of immunotherapy, targeted agents, radiation therapy, or conventional chemotherapy have been under investigation to improve treatment outcome. Biomarker studies to find an optimal candidate for the newly developed agents are accompanied. These clinical trials lead to tailored approach based on immunotherapy with precision medicine is expected to lead to promising results.

Keyword

Chemotherapy; Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; Human papillomavirus; Immunotherapy; Molecular targeted therapy

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
Cetuximab
Cyclins
Drug Therapy
Epithelial Cells*
Head*
Immunotherapy
Molecular Targeted Therapy
Neck*
Precision Medicine
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor
Treatment Outcome
Tumor Microenvironment
Cetuximab
Cyclins
Protein-Tyrosine Kinases
Receptor, Epidermal Growth Factor
Receptors, Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor